The Real Opus Dei

By Peter Bancroft

Conspiracy buffs intrigued by The Da Vinci Code version of Opus Dei may find the real deal a bit bland. No monks, no murders, no masochism, no misogyny. But for ordinary Catholics trying to live out their faith in the secular world, the real Opus Dei can be quite interesting.

One of the central teachings of the Second Vatican Council was the “universal call to holiness.” God calls all people – priests, religious and the laity – to seek spiritual union with Jesus Christ and to participate in the evangelizing mission of the Church. Opus Dei is Catholic institution whose mission is to help people fulfill this call.

Opus Dei’s name is Latin for “Work of God.” It was founded in 1928 by St. Josemaría Escrivá, and approved by the Holy See in 1947. Since 1982, Opus Dei has been a personal prelature. The Church establishes personal prelatures to carry out specific pastoral missions: in Opus Dei’s case, to spread the ideal of holiness in the middle of the world. As Pope John Paul II put it, Opus Dei “has as its aim the sanctification of one's life, while remaining within the world at one's place of work and profession: to live the Gospel in the world.”

Opus Dei’s main activities are classes, retreats, and spiritual direction. One need not be a member to receive this spiritual formation; in fact, most that do so are not. The focus is on finding practical ways to grow in holiness. How can I develop my spiritual life, even though I am very busy? What do I need to do to carry out my work and other daily activities with a more Christian spirit? What bearing does the Catholic faith have on my family life, friendships and social activities? Opus Dei’s formation helps people find practical answers to these questions, so that they can better integrate their faith with the rest of their life. Other key points Opus Dei emphasizes in its formation are prayer, charity, and awareness that one is a son or daughter of God.

The Real Opus Dei Continued

This spiritual formation is meant to complement the pastoral care given by Catholic parishes, not substitute for it. Opus Dei always carries out its activities with the knowledge and permission of the local bishop, and places on emphasis on love for the Church and obedience to her leaders.

While all are called to holiness, there are many ways to fulfill this call: being a member of Opus Dei is not for everyone. Membership, in fact, is seen as a vocation. It involves a commitment to receive one’s spiritual guidance from Opus Dei, as well as a commitment to frequent reception of the sacraments, prayer, apostolate and, in general, a humble and constant effort to acquire virtue and strive for holiness in the spirit of Opus Dei.

One can join Opus Dei as an associate, a numerary or a supernumerary. Most members are married supernumeraries, and they strive to follow Jesus Christ by sanctifying their work both in the home and outside, maintaining a youthful love, generously receiving and educating the children God sends them, and sharing their faith with their children and friends. Numeraries and associates share the same vocation of seeking holiness through their work, friendships and ordinary secular activities. They commit themselves to celibacy, however, so that they can dedicate themselves more fully to carrying out Opus Dei’s activities of spiritual formation. Numeraries and associates are not monks or nuns: joining Opus Dei does not involve any change for them in their professional work or their lay condition.

As of 2005, Opus Dei had 86,000 members (a little more than 3,000 in the U.S.). Around 98% of the members are laypersons; the rest are priests who have been ordained from among the lay members. The members are of many ethnic backgrounds, and are fairly evenly split between men and women. One must be an adult to join, but there are no educational, professional or income requirements.

Peter Bancroft is the Communications Director for Opus Dei in the United States. He studied philosophy at Calvin College and law at the University of Notre Dame. He lives in New Rochelle, NY. For more information on the Prelature of Opus Dei, visit their Web site, http://www.opusdei.org/.

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